Life Sentence Confirmed for Jang Dae-ho in the 'Hangang Torso Murder Case'

"Means and Methods of Crime Cruel... Defendant Shows No Remorse for Own Actions"

Jang Dae-ho, who was arrested and indicted for killing a motel guest, mutilating the body, and dumping it in the Han River, had his life sentence confirmed on the 29th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Jang Dae-ho, who was arrested and prosecuted in the so-called 'Hangang Torso Corpse Case,' has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

The Supreme Court's First Division (Presiding Justice Kwon Soon-il) upheld the life sentence on the morning of the 29th in the final appeal trial against Jang, who was charged with murder and other offenses. The court stated, "The means and methods of the crime were brutal, and the defendant shows no remorse for his actions and does not show even minimal respect for the victim's life," adding, "Considering various circumstances relevant to sentencing, the original sentence of life imprisonment is not excessively harsh or unjust."

Jang was indicted for killing Mr. A, a customer, by striking him with a blunt weapon while working as a motel employee in Guro-gu, Seoul, on August 8 last year, and then dismembering the body. He was also charged with dumping the dismembered body into the Hangang River in five separate instances on August 12. During the investigation, Jang stated, "I committed the crime because Mr. A spoke to me informally and did not pay the 40,000 won lodging fee."

From the investigation stage, Jang provoked public outrage by consistently mocking the victim without remorse or guilt. He made blunt remarks such as, "No matter how much I think about it, the other person did something worthy of death, so I do not feel remorse," and "This case is about a vicious criminal killing a thug." In his final statement during the second trial, he said, "Some people criticize me for not showing sadness, but I naturally do not feel sad emotions well."

Previously, the prosecution sought the death penalty in both the first and second trials, stating, "The defendant feels no conscience or remorse. It is very dangerous to reintegrate him into society." However, both trial courts sentenced Jang to life imprisonment, ruling that isolating him from society was an appropriate punishment.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.